Outdoor Retailer 2015 and 2016: Upcoming Summer and Winter Markets

Outdoor Retailer (OR) brings outdoor retail buyers and manufacturers together at two annual trade shows—Winter Market and Summer Market—in Salt Lake City. The shows provide a platform for order taking, media presentations, education and networking. In addition, senior decision makers for premier retailers can find the newest products that are right for their consumers. Visitors can see the latest in sports equipment, services, trends and innovation. Named one of the 25 fastest growing trade shows by the Trade Show News Network, OR shows attract approximately 50,000 visitors annually.

OR’s Winter Market took place in January 2015 at the Salt Palace Convention Center. According to a statement, OR reported that around 22,000 attendees and over 1,000 exhibitors were on hand for the four-day event. In addition, 14 percent of exhibitors were first-timers at the OR Winter Market.

Marisa Nicholson, Vice President and Outdoor Retailer Show Director, said, “Each year the Outdoor Retailer team strives to develop content and business opportunities that supports overall growth of the industry. With new areas like Venture Out, the re-fashioned Trend and Design Center, and the new Media Preview we are able to shine the light on innovation in gear, accessories and design and provide our core audience value added resources to help grow their business.”

Highlights of Winter Market 2015 included the all-new Media Preview and the Venture Out area. The Media Preview allowed journalists to get a sneak peak at some of the latest outdoor products. In addition, OR, in conjunction with the Outdoor Industry Association, provided journalists with market data and consumer information.

OR rolled out the new Venture Out after its positive reception at Summer Market 2014. Venture Out is an area dedicated to attracting a specific type of buyer—that is, buyers looking to sell to contemporary, urban and fashion-conscious consumers.

Manufacturers made the most out of the conference by demoing products and organizing industry celebrations. For example, Wolverine, a high-performance work and outdoor footwear manufacturer, hosted a concert for OR attendees only—the 2015 Wolverine Rock the Outdoors show. And backcountry brands like La Sportiva participated in the All Mountain Demo. This event preceded the official trade show and offered retailers and members of the media a chance to demo products right on the mountain itself.

Looking ahead, OR’s Summer Market 2015 will take place August 5-8 with the outdoor product demo preceding the show on August 4. Summer Market has been selected to participate in the 2015 International Buyer Program (IBP) by the U.S. Department of Commerce. IBP is a joint government-industry effort meant to help U.S. trade show exhibitors expand their businesses globally. At Summer Market, IBP will host an international trade center where foreign buyers can identify U.S. partners.

OR Winter Market 2016 will take place January 20-23, 2016, in Salt Lake City with the demo on January 19. Exhibitors planning to attend Summer Market 2015 can apply online now. Exhibitor information for Winter Market 2016 will be available in April.